In the Mix with Claw Money

New York-based graffiti artist and designer Claw Money gave this season's K2 Mix snowboard the golden touch with her jewel and pearl graphics. We caught up with her to find out more about the collaboration.

How would you describe yourself and your work at the moment? Primarily graffiti artist? Primarily fashion designer? You're a busy woman!

I have about 10 different jobs, some bring in money and some bring in none. I'm a clothing/housewares/accessories business owner and designer, a brand consultant, a fashion editor, a costume designer, a stylist, a guest artist for fancy co-brands, and a plain old starving artist all at once.  All of my jobs support one another and I wouldn't change a thing; often the less financially profitable gigs are the most fulfilling ones.  They play off one another and are all pieces of the Claw Money puzzle.

I really like to do different things; today I might be making clothes, two years from now I might start making furniture, or designing housewares. I consider my life a journey of artistic endeavors and I am lucky to have a fan base that wants my products, whoever they might be.

How did you get involved in fashion and graffiti?

I had a passion for fashion long before I ever touched a spray can. I'm an FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) drop-out and it was at that point that I picked up my graffiti habit, it wasn't the other way around. I started in my 20's, which is late for a graff writer. To me, graffiti and fashion come from two totally different places, but I'm lucky enough to have eventually merged them.  And really, so many graff writers have clothing lines! West FC, one of the graffiti greats, is actually one of the founding fathers of streetwear.

What are your influences?

Everything and everyone inspires me...the homeless man wearing a cool, weird hat, the little baby wearing a crazy, printed blanket, and of course the fabulous people who walk around with fancy clothing on.

Nature and art influence me too - it is hard to say something does not.   There are so many people that have mentored, aided, helped and impacted my life. I literally could have a list a mile long. A few that come to mind are Zephyr, West, Minya Quirk and my husband Jesse. Three of the people on this list, I bother on a daily basis for their ideas and support!

How did you end up hooking up with K2 to produce this season's goods?

My good friend Aaron Kaufman recommended me to K2 and it was on. I collect vintage ski jackets and snowsuits. Some of the best ones I have are K2! They are known for their quality and the fact we both agreed that my collaboration had to be a "women's only" project made it easy to say yes.

How would you describe the designs on the K2 range and what's the influence behind those?

I wanted to do something luxurious and completely opposite to sport - like ribbons, pearls, and gold jewellery. I wanted to bring the stuff that are the trapping of many women and turn it upside down; have it literally fly through the air with a woman on top of it. A lot of women find their worth through fashion and materialism, this was my way to say "Hey! It's not that serious!"

Do you feel your work is particularly feminine?

Feminine with a switchblade behind her back! I think it is more feminist, than feminine.  My stuff is tough and has a broad appeal, not overtly feminine. It is really for the ladies in the know and now the ladies in the snow! When I used to paint graffiti, girls would come up to me and tell me that they knew I was a girl - maybe because I wrote "sassy" or "pms" in my claws - but that stuff was lost on a lot of people, especially guys who had no clue.

Are you a snowboarder or boardsports fan yourself?

I am a huge fan! I am a huge of a klutz so I stay off the slopes. It is amazing that I was able to climb, jump, and write graffiti at all. I would always land on my ass or hurt myself. On winter trips to Bear Mountain, you can find me inside, in front of the fire sipping a hot chocolate or toddy. I wish I could skate, snowboard or ski - but alas, I am resigned to looking like a ski bunny. Totally fronting!

You've done some other awesome collaborations with some major brands - which are your favorite pieces?

I love this snowboard so much!!!  Of course I love the sneaker I did with Nike, as I am huge sneakerhead. It is really important for me to do products designed specifically for women, especially in sports, where they are at a deficit for cool products and attention. This is  my mission in life, to bring the spotlight on to the girls! Go team!

Check out more products from Claw Money at www.clawmoney.com